Agneepath scheme, making defence forces more efficient, cannot be with

New Delhi: Violent protests against the Agneepath project are going on in some parts of the country, demanding that the government withdraw the plan. But officials from all three defence forces strongly supported the plan, saying there was no question of withdrawing the scheme. Defence officials also rejected allegations that the project was implemented hastily without proper consideration. Currently, the average age of military personnel is 32, and efforts are being made to make the army more capable by reducing it through Agneepath. The defence forces had prepared the plan for a long time, said a senior army official.

In the wake of the ongoing violence against the Agneepath project in some places, the defence forces organised a press conference to provide more information about the project. Additional Secretary to the Army’s Department of Military Affairs, Lieutenant General Anil Puri, Navy Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and Air Marshal SK Jha addressed the press conference. ‘Discipline is the foundation of military service, and those who break this discipline and resort to arson and damage to properties will not get a chance to serve in the army. Everyone applying to be recruited as an Agniveer will have to submit an affidavit that he did not participate in this violent movement. It will also be scrutinised. Those who have been charged for the violence will not be able to be recruited as Agniveers, said Lt Gen Anil Puri.

At the same time, there is no question of withdrawing the Agneepath scheme, said Lt Gen Puri. The average age of army personnel is 32. Attempts are being made to reduce it and make the army more capable through the Agneepath scheme. The plan has been considered for a long time. It was also recommended by a high-level committee appointed after the Kargil war, said Lieutenant General Anil Puri. Therefore, there is no truth in the accusation that the Agneepath scheme has been announced without proper consideration.

Every year, 17,600 people opt for premature retirement from the defence forces. These people are never questioned about what they will do in the next life, said Lt. Gen. Puri.

Some also worry that the Agniveers will not have many job and career opportunities after four years of service. But Agniveer will have a great career opportunity in the banking and corporate sector. Some companies are already expressed willingness for it, claimed Lt. Gen. Puri. He also pointed out that some state governments have announced that Agniveers will be given priority in the police and other departments.

How did the Agniveers get additional concessions and facilities after the start of the protests? Lieutenant General Puri answered this question. “These concessions and facilities had already been decided, and it has decided to disclose the details in stages. It cannot be linked to the protests,” said Lt. Gen. Puri. Lieutenant General Puri also addressed the issue of discrimination between army personnel and Agniveers. The same allowance will be given to Agniveers deployed along with army personnel in Siachen and other remote areas, Lieutenant General Puri said.